Performing Arts Courses & Classes in London and Online
City Lit offers performing arts courses in the heart of Covent Garden in Central London during the evening, daytime and at weekends. Explore our range of subjects including acting, (including accredited acting courses), dance, radio and screen, and voice, speech and communication as well as a full range of music courses, such as piano, singing, strings and wind instruments to jazz and pop, music technology, music theory and history
Our courses are labelled clearly for beginners or those with previous experience and you can speak to a specialist advisor to help you choose the right level. If you would you like some help or advice:
For music courses email music@citylit.ac.uk. You can also view our music auditions and advice page.
For drama, dance and speech courses email drama@citylit.ac.uk
- Keyboard harmony and performance workshopCourse start date: Mon 12 Jan 2026 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ricardo GosalboA practical workshop integrating keyboard harmony with piano performance skills. Taught in-person on a grand piano, this workshop is aimed at classical pianists with a music theory standard of grade 6+ and good sheet music reading skills. We shall deepen our understanding of musical works by studying the harmonic constructs that underpin them, tackle the technical challenges they present, and explore how harmonic analysis can inform our interpretative choices. Break week: 16 Feb 2026.Full fee £369.00 Senior fee £295.00 Concession £258.00 - Acting: scenework
Course start date: Thu 22 May 2025 (and 3 other dates)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laura BaggaleyContinue your development as you explore a range of acting exercises that will illuminate and bring to life a variety of scripts and scenes. Consolidate skills and techniques, and deepen your understanding in a safe and supportive atmosphere. We will focus on ensemble and group scenes this term.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £139.00 - Acting for radio and podcast dramas: improversCourse start date: Wed 11 Jun 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David GoodersonExplore microphone techniques and demands across different areas of acting work in radio and podcast dramas. For those who have completed a beginners’ course or have previous relevant industry experience. This course will be delivered in the media studio.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £174.00 - Use your voice assertivelyCourse start date: Tue 8 Jul 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Lloyd WyldeDo you want to sound more confident, grounded, self-assured and assertive? Improve your vocal skills through a series of exercises that will support you to become more vocally confident, expressive and dynamic without appearing arrogant.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £125.00 - Composition techniques Course start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Edward HendersonDevelop your skills in composing. Analyse selected techniques and apply them to your own composition project. Good music theory knowledge needed (grade 7 or equivalent).
*break week: 27 May 2025.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £174.00 - Piano: advanced workshop Course start date: Wed 14 Jan 2026 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Petros MoschosIf you are an advanced pianist, whether a performer or specialist teacher, continue to develop your skills, broaden your repertoire and increase your understanding of piano playing. Please contact the Music department to enquire about joining this class. Break week 18th February 2026.Full fee £379.00 Senior fee £379.00 Concession £265.00 - Piano: repertoire workshopCourse start date: Wed 14 Jan 2026 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Shelagh SutherlandIf you have a minimum playing standard of grade 8, come and explore the wealth of piano repertoire, concentrating on style and period. Broaden your interpretive skills and gain experience in performance practice.
Please note that entry to this course is subject to audition with the Head of Piano. If you would like to apply, please click the pink button; someone from the music department will be in touch to arrange an audition.
Break week 18th February 2026.Full fee £379.00 Senior fee £379.00 Concession £265.00 - Piano: intermediate repertoire workshopCourse start date: Fri 16 Jan 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Gary PrestonIf you play piano at around grade 5-6 standard, join one of these workshops to develop your playing by studying a wide range of piano repertoire, with focus on technique, textural awareness, practice and performance skills.Full fee £369.00 Senior fee £295.00 Concession £258.00 - English pronunciation: stage 3Course start date: Fri 16 Jan 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: David John GwillimDesigned for advanced non-native speakers, and all who have completed 'English Pronunciation' stages 1 and 2. Conversation and the reading aloud of a variety of texts will help to pinpoint those pronunciation worries still to be addressed.
Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £195.00 - Storytelling for business and pleasure 1Course start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ariella EshedAll cultures respect the world of Story. The ability to tell Stories, in a variety of settings, is a skill that has seen a strong resurgence both in the workplace and in contemporary performance. Gain greater confidence in your communication skills and apply this to your wider experience. This course will be delivered in the college.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £229.00 Concession £160.00 - Keyboard harmony 5B Course start date: Mon 12 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ricardo GosalboA practical workshop for classical pianists who are new to studying harmony, but with piano skills of grade 5 or higher. Taught on individual keyboards, this module focuses on the rudiments of harmonic analysis (keys, chords, chord progressions, etc.) and its relevance to approaching piano music. You will broaden your understanding of piano repertoire by studying the harmonic constructs that underpin them. It is recommended to complete this 3-module course in preparation for the Harmony & Piano Performance Workshop. Break week: 16 Feb 2026.Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £188.00 - Music theory: diploma topics 2Course start date: Mon 12 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Simon RigbyExplore the music theory topics equivalent in standard to the first year of an undergraduate degree. The topics in this module are selected from the Trinity Associate (AMusTCL) syllabus. Prepare for this exam, or just develop your knowledge. This term: Prescribed works. Mid-term break: 16 Feb 2026. - Fretted instruments ensembleCourse start date: Mon 12 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Martin WheatleyAn ensemble class for players of any fretted instrument: guitar, banjo, ukulele, mandolin, banjo, bass guitar or any other! There will be individual parts for each player suited to their abilities; together we will play all sorts of music. This course is for experienced players, the ability to read one of the following will be necessary: chord symbols, tablature or musical notation. Challenging and fun - the music/repertoire will be tailored to your various abilities.
Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - The essential history of jazz in 20 cutsCourse start date: Mon 12 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Albi GravenerThrough a selection of 20 iconic albums, we will study the key figures, the innovators and the star soloists of 20th century jazz, as well as some important artists you might be less familiar with. Break week: 16 Feb 2026.Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £188.00 - Music theory: counterpoint 2Course start date: Tue 13 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Selena KayExplore the art of counterpoint, a musical technique in which two or more melodies are combined to create a highly engaging musical texture. Through analysis and practical exercises, you'll learn to write effective counterpoint in the tonal style, focusing on the Baroque period. Leads to part 3 next term. Scheduled break week: 17 Feb 2026.
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